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City of Yakima Planning Commission
STUDY SESSION
City Hall Council Chambers
Wednesday January 15, 2014
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
YPC Members:
Chairman Dave Fonfara, Vice -Chair Scott Clark, Al Rose,
Ben Shoval, Paul Stelzer, Bill Cook
City Planning Staff:
Steve Osguthorpe, Community Development Director/Planning Manager; Jeff Peters, Supervising
Planner; Chris Wilson, Assistant Planner; and Rosalinda Ibarra, Administrative Assistant
Agenda
I. Call to Order
II. Roll Call
III. Staff Announcements
IV. Audience Participation
V. Study Session - Continue Discussion on Text Amendment to YMC 15 Related to
Marijuana
VI. Study Session - Follow-up to the Billboards & Digital Si ns Workshop
VII. Other Business
VIII. Adjourn
Visit 't y. iw� as � . servic�es/olanning under Quick Links for additional information.
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CITY OF YAIUMA
YAKIMA PLANNING COMMISSION STUDY SESSION
City Hall Council Chambers
SIGN -IN SHEET
HEARING DATE: Wednesdgy JqqqgZL15, 2014
Mark X on item of interest
Marijuana illboards &
Hearing Digital Signs
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Yakima Planning Commission Sign -In Sheet — 01/15/2014
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DEPARTWNT
200 South Third Street, YaldnA Washington 95901 (509P55 -6M Fax (509)5756160
January 10, 2014
TO: City of Yakima Planning Commission
Steve Osguthorpe, AICP, Director, Community Development Department
FROM: Mark Kunkler, Senior Assistant City Attorney
SUBJECT: Initiative 502 — Revenues
At the public hearing on January 8, 2014, several comments were received to the effect
that the City of Yakima would be losing revenues if the ban on marijuana production,
processing and retailing is adopted. Documents in the record provide answers to these
comments.
Sections 26 — 30 of Initiative 502 explain the taxing and revenue provisions (pages 39-
44 of Initiative 502 as set forth in the record documents).
Section 26 establishes a "Dedicated Marijuana Fund" in the custody of the state
treasurer. This Fund will receive all marijuana excise tax revenues, license fees,
penalties, forfeitures and "all other moneys, income or revenue received by the
state liquor control board from marijuana -related activities."
Section 27 imposes a 25% excise tax on the wholesale sale of marijuana by
marijuana producers, a 25% excise tax on the wholesale price of marijuana sold
by processors to marijuana retailers, and a 25% excise tax on the retail sale of
marijuana to consumers. All of these excise tax revenues are to be deposited in
the Dedicated Marijuana Fund.
The only "local tax" revenue opportunity would be the normal retail sales tax
imposed on retail sale of marijuana to consumers. None of the excise tax
revenues are paid to the cities and counties.
Memorandum to Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
January 10, 2014
Page 2
Section 28 details the disbursement of the revenues from the Dedicated
Marijuana Fund. Every three months, the funds are disbursed by the state liquor
control board as follows:
(1) $125,000 to DSHS to implement and conduct a "Washington state healthy
use survey" to analyze and report on "academic achievement, age at time of
substance abuse initiation, antisocial behavior of friends, attitudes toward
antisocial behavior, attitudes toward substance abuse," and other areas.
(2) $50,000 to DSHS to conduct a cost -benefit analysis.
(3) $5,000 to the University of Washington to develop and maintain an web
site concerning the "health and safety risks posed by marijuana."
(4) An amount not exceeding $1.25 million to the Liquor Control Board to
administer the marijuana licensing program.
Funds remaining after disbursal of the above will then be distributed to various
programs administered by DSHS, the Department of Health, University of
Washington and Superintendent of Public Instruction.
No provision is made for distribution of any amount to cities or counties.
Section 29 directs DSHS and the department of Health to develop rules to carry
out the purposes of Initiative 502.
Section 30 requires the Washington State Institute for Public Policy to conduct a
cost -benefit analysis of the implementation of Initiative 502, including health risks
and costs, effect on public safety and the criminal justice system.
On December 17, 2013, Governor Inslee gave an interview to the Tri -City Herald, which
included the Governor's comments regarding projected revenues from Initiative 502. A
copy of the article is attached.
TRI -CITY HERALD
Local News: "Inslee Says Cities Shouldn't Count on Pot Revenue" By Geoff Folsom, Tri -City Herald
December 17 2013.
2013-12-18T14:48:08Z Tri -City Herald
Cities should not expect to see much tax revenue from recreational marijuana sales, which begin next
year in Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee said Tuesday. He isn't even sure if they will make a difference for
the state government. "I think we should be very cautious about booking or assuming marijuana
revenues," Inslee told the Herald's editorial board in a conference call." As long as people have access
to streams of marijuana that are not within the legal system or they are using medical marijuana for
purposes that are not really medical, I just cannot give you a high level of confidence that we are going
to generate any particular number of revenues from marijuana," he said. The state plans to levy up to
75 percent in excise taxes on marijuana sales and doesn't intend to share it with local governments.
Several cities, including Pasco, want some of that money. But Inslee thinks the revenue stream won't be
enough to make a difference in dealing with the state's budget shortfalls. "I do not think people should
look at it as a panacea at all," said Inslee, a Democrat who is wrapping up his first year in office. "The
fact of the matter is there are a lot of purveyors of marijuana today that for years have been outside the
stream of legal commerce, and we probably cannot assume they are all going to take part in this tax
voluntarily. That's a reality we've got to recognize." Inslee rolled out a supplemental budget for 2014
on Tuesday. He couldn't find anything in it that should keep the Legislature from finishing its work in the
allotted 60 days, he said. But Sen. Sharon Brown, R -Kennewick, said Inslee has proposed $262 million in
new spending, much of it taken from reserve funds. The Legislature worked hard earlier this year to
erase a $2 billion shortfall and create a balanced budget, Brown said. "I don't think it's necessary to
open it up again," she said. "This was a collaborative, bipartisan effort. This is not the time to go there.
"One program that isn't addressed in the supplemental budget, but that the governor still wants to deal
with soon, is a transportation revenue bill. He hopes to get it approved by early next year and it cannot
wait until 2015, he said. Brown and other Republicans have called for reforms to the state Department
of Transportation before a gas tax increase is considered. If it waits too long, the state runs the risk of
local governments in the Seattle area putting their own transportation package together, which could
cut the rest of the state out. "Rural areas, I think Eastern Washington areas, I think should have a real
interest in not allowing the Balkanization of our transportation system, because the cash -generating
engine of King County is no longer going to be available to provide transportation in more rural areas,"
Inslee said. "Everybody's got an interest; I've been working with both sides to come to the middle on it.
"Seventy-one bridges will become structurally obsolete in the state and up to one in five ferry sailings
could be eliminated if a transportation package doesn't pass, Inslee said. Possible new projects, such as
a Red Mountain interchange off Interstate 82 and completion of the widening of Highway 12 between
Pasco and Walla Walla, also would be put off. "All across the state of Washington, including in the Tri -
Cities area, we're going to have declining maintenance of our roads and bridges, and that's just
unacceptable," he said. "We've got great economic development and agriculture in Southeastern
Washington, we've got a huge burgeoning wine industry. We've got tremendous opportunity to sell
more wine in China and the rest of the world, but if we can't get it to our ports, you've got a problem.
"Inslee also expects to have to find other sources of revenue for education, because steady economic
growth is not keeping pace with increasing costs, he said. The state added $1 billion to the budget this
year as a result of the McCleary decision, in which the state Supreme Court ruled that the state is not
fulfilling its constitutional duty to pay for education and is relying too much on local school district
levies. Once progress is made on the McCleary funding, Inslee expects the state to be able to assist
districts in dealing with a mandate to decrease class sizes, he said. Local districts have expressed
concern about not having enough classrooms or teachers to deal with the mandate. "That's something
that can only happen if we have people of good faith who will make the hard choices to actually finance
that," he said. "We cannot and we will not finance that by creating more homeless, hungry, sick children
by diminishing help for the homeless, diminishing nutritional programs or diminishing help for mental
health or reducing our protection for our senior citizens. Those are not solutions to our educational
challenges, and that's a line in the sand that we simply have to draw."The state will not be able to
employ one-time fixes for the operating budget in 2015, such as using capital money, as it did in
resolving the budget, Inslee said. He proposes changing an exemption for forest products that has been
abused by the oil and gas industry, he said. That could create $60 million in revenue. The state also will
have to find a way to compensate for lost revenue because of a shift to a service and Internet -based
economy, though it likely will take Congressional action to allow the state to get tax money from
interstate Internet sales, he said. "We do not tax services, we tax the part of our economy that is
disappearing, which is goods," he said. The 2014 supplemental budget has $7 million to deal with a
prison capacity problem, most of which will go toward building a medium security facility at the
Washington State Penitentiary in Walla Walla. Inslee said he didn't know how many construction jobs
would be created by the project. "Our penitentiaries are just chock full, and there's really no other
option," he said. When asked about leadership, Inslee had a holiday message. "One of the secrets to
that leadership is to make sure all of our children believe in Santa Claus, and all adults understand that
he doesn't work in Olympia and there is no Santa Claus," he said, before rethinking his remark. "At least
in state government -- he works in other realms."
w Geoff Folsom: 509-582-1543; gfolsom@tricityherald.com; Twitter: @GeoffFolsom
Read more here: http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2013/12/17/2736335/inslee-says-cities-shouldnt-
count.html#storylink=cpy
Phone" ff09,) : "',7,5 45 113 OF ax (309) ,fir 76-65;"16
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Date:
MEMORANDUM
Planning Commission
Steve Osguthorpe, AICP, Community Development Director
Public Workshop - Billboards & Digital Signs
January 15, 2014
F",ID R. "111 IIIEii:
As follow-up to our December 11 Public Workshop on billboards and digital signs I have
prepared the attached summary of public comments, which includes both oral testimony
at the workshop, and written testimony submitted prior to and after the workshop. As
you will see, suggestions varied widely, particularly regarding regulations of billboards,
but most people favored some regulation of digital signs. Based upon the comments,
the following approaches might be considered (I have addressed billboards and digital
signs separately):
Billboard Options:
1. Retain the status quo — change nothing.
This option would reflect the input of the billboard industry, which claims that
there is no need to put any further restrictions on billboards because (a), the
industry is one of the most highly regulated industries in America, (b)
billboards are highly regulated in Yakima and they can't put billboards up
everywhere the code allows them, (C) Since 2009 only one billboard has
been installed and one billboard converted to digital, (d) the industry
regulates itself as far as illumination goes, and (e) that it already complies
with an 8 -second rule.
2. Retain the status quo but impose digital regulations including brightness of
illumination and rapidity of message change.
This option would likely be acceptable to the billboard industry because at
least one industry rep. states that his company already complies with
intensity limitations and already limits the rapidity of message changes.
However, this requires further discussion to determine if the standards the
industry imposes on itself are the standards that would be acceptable to the
City. (See staff comments below).
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3. Cap the amount of existing billboards to those already in place and adopt relocation
and/or conversion standards.
This option may address some council member comments regarding
reducing billboards in some locations such as the downtown. This option
might be tolerable and perhaps even helpful to the industry onyif the market
for billboards in Yakima is already saturated as the industry has suggested'.
While industry reps have stated that it is impossible to have all the billboards
that the code otherwise allows, it has not defined how many additional
billboards the market might tolerate under current regulations. If the market
for billboards is at or near saturation now, then this Option 3 would impose
little burden that the market hasn't otherwise imposed. It would, however,
provide opportunity to relocate some existing billboards that are not easy to
market because of their location and allow them to be relocated to a more
marketable location. However, a more marketable location may also make
billboards appear to be more dominant in Yakima than they currently are.
4. Adopt prohibitions on any new billboards including digital billboards and allow
existing legally installed billboards to be retained as legal non -conforming structures.
This option would allow the industry to continue to use its existing billboards
the same as it has in the past, resulting in no loss of lease revenue (to either
the industry or the property owner), and no loss of structure value2. It would
allow the changing of advertising copy on existing signs, but it would not
allow any structural or locational changes to existing signs other than those
permitted by current non -conforming provisions of YIVIC Chapter 15.19. This
is the option adopted by most jurisdictions that have imposed bans on any
new billboards, and it is the option that might be acceptable to at least two of
the individuals who supported restrictions on billboards. This option might not
unduly burden the billboard industrynl iif the market for Yakima is as
saturated as industry reps have stated.
5. Adopt prohibitions on any off -premise signs and allow existing legally installed off -
premise signs to be retained as non -conforming structures.
This option is similar to Option 4 except that it extends the prohibition to more
than just billboards; it extends it to all off -premise signs. This is an option that
many jurisdictions have adopted including most of the eastern Washington
cities included in the spreadsheet provided at the previous meeting. This
option would likely be acceptable to all individuals expressing support for
restrictions on billboards, but would presumably be opposed by the local
I Peter Grover of Metro Outdoor testified at the workshop saying, "But as far as ... us building new
billboards and all this stuff it's just not happening, there is really no where else for us to build in this city,
you know for the most part anyway."
2 Whether allowed to be retained or not, the removal of a billboard does not result in loss of structural
value for billboards under taxation laws in Washington and other states that define billboards as personal
rather than real property. The industry's justification of this, which apparently was persuasive to
lawmakers, is that billboards do not belong to the underlying property owner. The land is simply being
leased and the billboard can be removed and used elsewhere. This departs significantly from taxation laws
on other structures permanently affixed to the ground.
2
business community. The impact of this option to the billboard industry would
be the same as Option 4, but it would be potentially more burdensome to
existing businesses in the city that currently rely upon off -premise signage
other than billboards.
6. Allow mobile billboards.
This was the request of one individual. These are currently not permitted in
the manner the individual requesting them desired, in part because they are
considered off -premise signs and off -premise signs are specifically excluded
from some of the zoning districts this individual hoped to advertize in, and
also because they are not defined under any specific sign type (e.g., free-
standing sign, wall sign, temporary sign, etc).
Staff observations pertaining to the above billboard options:
Staff appreciates the fact that the industry has self-imposed standards that facilitate
consistency and predictability in how billboards are operated. Staff suggests that the
Commission carefully evaluate how those standards are worded and interpreted by the
industry to ensure that they align with the Commission's understanding of such
standards. For example, the industry's definition of what constitutes a changing
message is apparently different than what staff considered during its inventory of
billboards. When staff reported that the billboard on Valley Mall Blvd. and Longfibre
Road contained 13 changeable messages, Peter Grover of Metro Outdoor Advertising
responded that it does not contain 13 messages because the rules of Outdoor
Advertising Association of America (OAAA) limit messages to 8. He said there might be
loops that bring it back around to different copy from the same advertiser, but that there
were no more than 8 advertisers. However, my report did not enumerate how many
businesses placed the ads; only on the number of changing messages because the
concern was the amount of messages a driver can read without being unduly distracted.
There were 13 changing messages documented for that sign.
Another example of the industry interpreting standards different than what we might
expect is how it interprets a "static" or "non -animated" billboard. When referring to Metro
Outdoor's billboard on Nob Hill Blvd and So. 1 s` Street, Mr. Grover stated that this digital
billboard conforms to OAAA's limit of 8 seconds between "advertisers". However, the 8
seconds devoted to single advertisers are not 8 -second pauses; they are 8 seconds in
full -motion with pictures, lines of text and graphics appearing and changing rapidly.
These full -motion ads on Metro Outdoor's billboards are consistent with the following
statements from Metro's web page:
Under http://www,rnetrooutdoorllc.com/aboutus.html
(The following language is under the "About Us" tab):
"Metro Outdoor was formed in 2005 with headquarters in Phoenix,
Arizona ... They have also brought to Yakima the latest in Digital (LED)
technology and are operating the only full motion display in the market.
This display, located at West Nob Hill and South 1 st Street, is like
watching a 300 square foot high-definition television."
Under httg-//wwwmetrooutdoorllc.com/digitalshowcasehtmI
(The following language is under the "Digital Showcase" tab).
"The only Full Motion Billboards on
Private Land in the USA!"
"2 Digital Displays to Keep your message moving!"
"Metro's full motion digital display is the latest in LED technology and is
one of only a few in the United States. It provides for faster time to
market, better customer targeting and the flexibility to change your copy
quickly and frequently."
"With up to twice the brightness as our competitors and better resolution,
the conventional billboard has been transformed into the perfect high-tech
electronic outdoor display. Not only is our digital technology full color and
large format, it also has many distinct advantages including displaying full
motion animation and in effect, combining specialized television
commercials with outdoor advertising into one unique advertising
medium."
"Metro's high profile digital display location at West Nob Hill Blvd. and
South 1 st St. in Yakima. "
[See full motion display graphic of this referenced sign on cited
web page]
"Metro's 2nd high profile digital display is on Valley Mall Blvd. across from
Costco and Toyotal"
[See full motion display graphic of this referenced sign on cited
web page]
As the above language from Metro's webpage indicates, the intent behind the 8 -second
rule versus the way it is interpreted and applied can be significantly different.
Regarding brightness of illumination, staff has received comments from individuals living
in Terrace Heights that the Nob Hill Blvd and So. 1 §` Street billboard can be seen
changing messages from their homes. Mr. Grover stated at the public workshop that
this billboard meets industry's standard for brightness and that he could not dim it any
further without turning it off. It might therefore be useful for commission members to
view the sign at night and determine if its brightness reflects an acceptable standard.
Metro's webpage states that this sign has "up to twice the brightness as our competitors"
It might therefore be helpful to compare the brightness of this digital sign to those of
other companies.
0
Finally, regarding comments on permit activity for billboards, it is true that the City issued
one permit for a new billboard since 2009 and one for a digital update. However, the
City issued 10 billboard permits since 2008 and issued a total of 15 permits since 2006.
Nonetheless, it is not clear when most billboards were actually installed since we have
no record of permits for 62% of existing billboards in the City. It appears that many have
been installed without permits.
Additional Billboard Considerations. In addition to options reflecting the verbal
testimony at the public workshop, the following options might be considered in response
to written comment:
a. Suzanne Noble suggested that we allow billboard messages only if a scene
of Yakima landscape were displayed on a second billboard. This option
would likely be difficult to enact due to issues pertaining to regulation of
content. In the alternative, Ms. Noble stated that she favors not providing any
more billboard space, finding that they are annoying, unpleasant and difficult
to avoid. Options 3 — 5 would achieve Ms. Noble's stated preference.
b. Heather Lowe asks that we enact an ordinance that bans digital billboards,
reduces existing billboards, and affords strict management of on -premise
sign. Options 4 & 5 would achieve Ms. Lowe's request, as would an
amortization clause for existing billboards.
Digital Sign Options:
The feedback on digital signs focused primarily on the technical issues of brightness and
timing between messages, and this came from billboard and sign industry
representatives. Based upon industry input, the following options might be considered:
Digital Signs:
1. Retain the status quo —change nothing.
This option would reflect the input from the billboard industry attesting that
they adequately regulate themselves in terms of brightness and changing
of messages. However, the industry does suggest that rules may be
necessary to similarly regulate on -premise signs.
2. Adopt standards that limit the brightness and intensity of illumination and that also
regulate the timing of message change and animation.
This option would reflect the input of the billboard industry attesting that
there is no need to put any further restrictions on billboards because of
self-imposed regulations, but that on -premise signs should meet a
standard at least as restrictive as billboard industry standards.
E
Staff observations pertaining to the above digital sib, options:
Option 1 would reflect primarily the input of Jean Owens. She was the one individual
who expressed concern over adoption of additional regulations on businesses. Most
speakers seemed comfortable with the idea of regulating both the intensity and motion of
digital signs and this seemed to be a common theme amongst those who spoke.
However the degree to which they would be regulated would require more discussion
and analysis. Specifically, it appears that there are divergent ideas on what constitutes
an animated sign and how the timing between advertisements would be regulated. As
the above staff comments pertaining to digital billboards demonstrates, the industry may
interpret "8 seconds between messages" quite differently than we might otherwise
assume. Commission members may wish to drive by the digital billboard on North 1"
Street just beyond J Street and compare its change of messages to that of Metro's sign
on Nob Hill Blvd and So. 1" Street. The No 1 St Street billboard has completely static ads
with no motion and no animation. It's only change is the instantaneous transition from
one ad to another.
We should also ensure that everyone is on the same page in terms of how we define
maximum brightness. For example, James Carpentier, representing the International
Sign Association (ISA) informed me that measuring illumination with NITs is now
obsolete and suggested instead that illumination be measured in foot-candles, whereas
Peter Grover stated that the billboard industry still measures in NITs. Mr. Carpentier
offered to have a digital sign brought in to help illustrate different brightness levels. Staff
believes that this would provide a more sure way of determining an acceptable
brightness levels. We might also be able to compare illumination by both NITs and foot-
candles. Mr. Grover stated that his digital billboard is reduced down to 350 NITs at
night, but Mr. Carpentier stated that the suggested 0.3 foot-candles is equivalent to 320
NITs, meaning that Metro's sign would have to be somewhat dimmer to meet ISA's
recommended standards. It is unclear how significant those differences are without an
actual demonstration. I can contact Mr. Carpentier to see if he is still willing to do this if
the Commission would like to pursue that option. However, that would require an
evening meeting so we would need to adjust our schedules accordingly.
Additional Digital Sign Considerations. As part of his verbal testimony at the public
workshop, David Servine referenced and stated support for the written comments
submitted by James Carpentier. Mr. Carpentier offered the following recommendations.
a. Adopt a 0.3 foot-candle standard for regulating brightness. He states that this
is equivalent to -320 nits or less of an all -white EMC (electronic message
center) background at night.
b. Require that all EMC's be equipped with a sensor or other device that
automatically determines the ambient illumination and is programmed to
automatically dim.
c. Adopt a definition for digital sign as follows: "Digital Sign - A sign that is
capable of displaying words, symbols, figures or images that can be
electronically or mechanically changed by remote or automatic means."
d. Do not enact any color or text -only restrictions
e. If we enact a hold time for EMCs keep them in the 3 to 4 second range.
Transition time for fade in and out should not exceed 1 second.
31
f. Maintain separate and distinct regulations for on -premise and off -premise
signs.
g. Consider positive economic impacts of EMCs on the business community.
Option 2 would facilitate Mr. Carpentier's recommendations, provided that the actual
figures adopted under Option 2 were in line with the figures he recommends.
Some additional things the Commission may wish to consider in terms of digital signs
that were not discussed during the workshop include the following:
a. The number and size of digital signs permitted. Some jurisdictions limit the
number and size of digital signs. We can refer to the spreadsheet I provided
at the last meeting for examples. It should be noted that James Carpentier
suggested that the City allow 75% or 100% of a freestanding sign to be
digital.
b. Appropriate zones for digital signs. Some jurisdictions either do not allow
digital signs in residential and other sensitive zones, or they limit sign text in
those zones to monochrome display or dark background only.
c. Method of displaying di ital signs, The Commission may wish to discuss
whether digital signs should be incorporated into a static sign or allowed to be
displayed independently. There is no identifiable trend with other jurisdictions
on this one way or the other, but it may be something to consider.
d. Digital Signs as an Incentive. Allow digital signs as an incentive to forgo
other forms of temporary promotional exterior signs such as banners. Since
digital signs have become such a common form of promotional advertizing,
the idea would be to allow digital signs in lieu of banners and other forms of
temporary exterior signs. This could clean up much of the "visual clutter" that
occurs when temporary signs start to dominate commercial streetscapes, and
might compensate to a degree for the some of the visual impact that digital
signs themselves create.
e. Form of Message Transition. What ever time period is defined for each
message (e.g., 8 seconds), the quickness of the change can be startling,
particularly as we see more and more digital signs in a confined area, each
changing at different time. This could be mitigated by having signs messages
transition with quick fade-ins rather than instantly appearing. A good way to
illustrate this is to refer to the "entrance" options in a PowerPoint
presentation. You are given the option to have a message "appear", which
occurs instantly, or "fade" which has messages come in less abruptly. The
"very fast" speed in PowerPoint is almost instant, but takes the abruptness
out of the appearance.
Conclusions:
The Commission intentionally decided at its November 13 meeting to not pursue any
specific course of action until we could first solicit public input and explore various
options. We received valuable written comments and valuable feedback at the
December 11 public workshop, but attendance at the workshop by both business owners
and general citizens was light. Staff received comments that its timing was too close to
the holidays. I therefore recommend that the Commission continue to receive feedback
during all proceedings in the same manner as we did with the cell tower issue. We will
look for other means of notification to both businesses and residents as we discussed at
7
the November 13 Planning Commission meeting. However, we'll need to focus fairly
quickly and begin developing a specific course of action to meet the moratorium
deadline. I recommend that the Commission begin at this next meeting (January 8) to
provide some preliminary direction to staff so that we can start drafting actual code
language and get the SEPA process going right away. To facilitate this process, it might
be helpful to discuss digital sign regulations first since they could be a common
component to both on -premise signs and billboards.
Attachments.
Spreadsheet of Billboard and Digital Sign Regulations in Washington Cities
Summary of Comments from the December 11, 2013 Workshop
Letter of James Carpentier dated December 10, 2013 (referenced during the public
workshop)
E-mail Comment from Heather Lowe dated January 8, 2014
O
-'CORD / FILE
Billboard / Digital Sign - Regulations in Washington Cities
\\apollo\Usen\sosgutho\Moratoria\Billboards\Spreadsheet of City Revelations - Revised 01.02.14.doc
Page 1
Billboards
Prohibit Off-
Allow New
Allow Digital
Allowed
Prohibit New
premise Signs
Billboards Only
Prohibit Digital
Digital Design Restrictions
Only with
Eliminate Existing
City / Jurisdiction
with Size/ Location
Billboards
(including
with Relocation
Billboards / Signs
Reduction
Billboards By
Restrictions
billboards)
Permit
Provision
Amortization
Ellensburg
✓ TC zone only, CUP
One digital sign per frontage,
_
required, 288 sq.ft.
3 sq.ft. max, 64 sq.ft. max.
max.
for public use.
3 -second rule applies.
10 -seconds pause for entire
message.
Grandview
✓
Kennewick
✓
✓
✓ Must meet size,
area, height and
electrical
requirements by
s ecified date.
Moses Lake
✓
50 sq.ft. max. size.
Illumination limit - 8,000
p
nits daytime; 1000 nits
tm
nighttime.
10 second rule.
No white backfround
r3
Pasco
✓ (with exceptions
for directional signs) _
yPullman
✓
W
Richland
✓
✓
Selah
✓
✓
Spokane
✓
Illumination limit - .3 foot-
candles. 2 -second rule
applies. Limited to 50% of
allowable signage.
Prohibited in CBD zone.
Spokane Valley
✓
✓
✓
Sunnyside
Totally discretionary
✓ (with very limited
✓
with no guaranteed
exceptions)
right. 200 sq.ft. max.
Prohibited along
designated entrvways.
\\apollo\Usen\sosgutho\Moratoria\Billboards\Spreadsheet of City Revelations - Revised 01.02.14.doc
Page 1
Page 2
Billboards
Prohibit Off-
Allow New
Allow Digital
Allowed
Prohibit New
premise Signs
Billboards Only
Prohibit Digital
Digital Design Restrictions
Only with
Eliminate Existing
City / Jurisdiction
with Size/ Location
Billboards
(including
with Relocation
Billboards / Signs
Reduction
Billboards By
Restrictions
billboards)
Permit
Provision
Amortization
Toppenish
✓
Allows digital only if no
more than 40% of sign face.
No moving images, 5000
o
nits day, 500 nits night
Union Gap
✓
3
Walla Walla
✓
g ✓
✓ (No changing
Allows electronic text only.
message centers)
Wenatchee
✓ Limited to 60 sq.ft.
(Effectively)
i
:3
@ 30 feet tall or 100
Ws
.ft. @ 8 ft. tall.
Yakima
✓ Ml, M2, CBD, GC
and RD zones. 35 ft.
[
tall, 500 ft. spacing.
Auburn
✓
Illumination limit - 8,000
nits daytime;
500 nits nighttime.
j
1.5 second rule applies, 5
second scroll allowed.
Bellevue
✓
✓ (Allowed for non-
4 minute rule applies.
commercial use only)
8 hour rule applies. No
motion or animation.
o
Limited to text only.
on
Bellingham
✓
✓
[
Bothell {
✓
3
f
Bremerton
✓
✓
✓
3
Burien
✓
✓
✓
[ Limited to 50% area of free-
standing sign.
Centralia[
✓
[
✓ (90 days)
Des Moines
✓
Illumination limit - 5,000
nits daytime;
500 nits nighttime.
2-second rule applies.
No animation.
Page 2
Page 3
Billboards
Prohibit Off-
Allow New
Allow Digital
Allowed
Prohibit New
premise Signs
Billboards Only
Prohibit Digital
Digital Design Restrictions
Only with
Eliminate Existing
Oty / Jurisdiction
with Size/ Location
Billboards
(including
with Relocation
Billboards / Signs
Reduction
Billboards By
Restrictions
billboards)
Permit
Provision
Amortization
[ Everett
✓ 20 ft. above street
✓ Requires removal
✓
grade, 1000'
of any
separation, subject to
nonconforming
removal clause.
billboard owned by
E
that company, and
remove/conform
Fwhen
sold.
Federal Way
✓
✓
Fife
✓
Gig Harbor
Kent
✓
✓ (prohibition
applies to off -
0
1
prermse only)
Lacey
✓
G
-
"'
Lakewood
✓
✓
✓
✓
Marysville
No animation. 20 second
rule applies. 30% of sign
90
ya+
0�
area max. Dimming
3
mechanism required.
Mill Creek
✓
Olympia
✓
✓
(3 minute rule (very
limited).
Port Angeles
✓ CA and Industrial
30 second rule applies. i
Zones only.
1000 ft. spacing.
Port Orchard
✓
✓
i
✓ (billboards)
.�
Poulsbo
✓
✓
Puyallup
✓
[i
2 second rule applies.
Renton
✓
Page 3
Legend — Cities highlighted in yellow are those that permit the typical billboard without any requirements for mitigation (e.g., no requirements to remove existing billboards to allow new billboards), and without
limiting factors such as the fully -discretional, no guarantee provisions of Sunnyside.
Of those jurisdictions that allow billboards, Yakima and Grandview are the least restrictive in terms of required spacing, lack of illumination restrictions, and the number of zones in which billboards are permitted
Page 4
Billboards
Prohibit Olt
Allow New
Allow Digital
Allowed
Prohibit New
premise Signs
Billboards Only
Prohibit Digital
Digital Design Restrictions
Only with
Eliminate Existing
City / Jurisdiction
with Size/ Location
Billboards
(including
with Relocation
Billboards / Signs
Reduction
Billboards By
Restrictions
billboards)
Permit
Provision
Amortization
Sea Tac
✓
✓
Illumination limit - 8,000
✓
nits daytime;
500 nits nighttime.
1.5-second rule applies.
Requires dark background.
Seattle
✓(subject to removal
✓ (except under
✓ (within 660 feet of
✓
✓ (billboards)
2 second rule, with 20
clause).
removal clause).
_
highways)
second pause.
Sequim
✓
C
U
Shelton
✓
✓
✓ (except for
C
10-acre
shopping
C°
3
center)
' Shoreline
✓
✓
20-second rule applies. No
[
_
moving messages.
aW
Tacoma
✓ (subject to removal
✓ (except under
]
✓
✓
clause).
removal clause).
]
Vancouver
✓
✓
4 / 8 second rule applies.
Illumination limit - 8,000
nits daytime;
i
1000 nits nighttime.
Requires ambient light
_
monitor
Woodinville
✓
✓
✓ (Allowed only in
32 sq.ft. max. Single color
Public/Institution
only (warm tone).
Zone)
4 second rule applies.
Legend — Cities highlighted in yellow are those that permit the typical billboard without any requirements for mitigation (e.g., no requirements to remove existing billboards to allow new billboards), and without
limiting factors such as the fully -discretional, no guarantee provisions of Sunnyside.
Of those jurisdictions that allow billboards, Yakima and Grandview are the least restrictive in terms of required spacing, lack of illumination restrictions, and the number of zones in which billboards are permitted
Page 4
Summary of Comments
- Billboards and Digital Signs -
The following is a summary of oral comments provided at the December 11, 2013
public workshop on billboards and digital signs:
Jean Owens (Local business owner & Selah resident) — Stated that she is appalled that
the city is taking up this kind of time on this issue, and that she didn't think the city would
try to consider regulating the signs. She asked if the city did any research or had any
statistics on the safety aspect of signs.
David Serving (International Sign Association & Yakima resident) — Spoke of the
importance of digital communication in this day and age, stating that it's impossible to
avoid. He spoke in support of recommendations in a letter submitted by James
Carpentier (letter is separately attached).
Fred Nelson (County Resident and Business Owner) — Stated his desire to use a mobile
billboard to advertize his out of town business in Yakima and expressed frustration that
he was told that the current code did not address them and that they were therefore not
allowed.
Neil Schreibeis (LaMar Advertising — Post Falls, Idaho) — In reference to map provided
by staff, Mr. Schreibeis stated that the locations on map, though perhaps available, are
unlikely to ever be built due to restrictions by land owners, restrictions on visibility,
location of buildings, visibility from other properties, including other signs or other view
blockages, and also amount of advertisers that want to be on billboards. Discussed
what we're limiting if we regulate. He states that they pay taxes on every single
structure, as well as rent to landowners, and that advertisers receive benefit because it
gets people into their business. He referenced OAAA (Outdoor Advertizing Association
of America) study that stated that when billboards were reduced, 3 out of 4 businesses
that advertized on those billboards lost business. Ben Shoval, Planning Commission
Chair then asks Mr. Schreibeis to speak to standards of lighted billboards. Mr.
Schreibeis then discusses the issue of dimming technologies. Ben asks him if those are
standards his company adheres to. Mr. Schreibeis also states that they provide Amber
Alerts and other public messages.
Tom Knaub (LaMar Advertizing, Chelan, WA resident, local office) References some of
the cities in Steve's spreadsheet that limit digital signs to monochrome color. He states
that if we restrict color we should remember that people who pay for those adds want
people to be looking at those ads and a monochrome add will be much less attractive
than an ad with a full color range. He states that the brightness is something we'll be
more interested in than the color.
Peter Grover (Metro Outdoor Advertizing, Scottsdale Arizona) — Referred to the last city
Council meeting when he gave a "significant report on status of billboards in the town
and stated that between he and his father, they had leased about 90% of billboard
locations in Yakima. States that we have in place a very restrictive code, stating that the
locations on the map Steve provided are impossible. He states that existing code with
existing zones and spacing is very restrictive, stating that they are one of the more
regulated industries across the whole country and that they are still highly regulated here
in Yakima and that they can't run around putting billboards wherever they feel like
putting them. He provided permit numbers since 2009: Pole signs — 103, wall signs
176, cell towers 17, new billboard permits in that time — 1. Since 2010, he added one
new digital billboard. He says that Metro self regulates themselves as far as illumination
goes. States that he still goes by NITS to regulate illumination and that his manufacture
is WatchFire, and that at the brightest sun, brightest time of day it will be 7500 NITS.
Says that it night it drops down to 350 NITS. Says he's one step aside from turning the
thing off. Says they also follow OAAA spacing between advertisers — saying that its 8
seconds and says that on -premise advertisers (e.g., Mel's Diner) are going "berserk" all
hours without any brightness levels. States that the problem around town is that a lot of
on -premise signs don't have auto -dimming on them and no restrictions on when copy
changes. In reference to Steve's spreadsheet about different communities, he states
that he could provide a spreadsheet representing Eastern Washington that is more
favorable — that it's just a different view point. States that option to remove a static
billboard to allow a digital would impact his business because he only has 10 signs
around town. He notes that Oregon required that because the Oregon Supreme Court
ruled that their sign regulations were totally illegal, they had no sign regulations in place
for some time so people installed signs everywhere, and they are no trying to play catch
up to remove the signs installed during the no -code period. He concludes by saying that
Yakima has a good code, they've been responsible, and that Yakima is not over -built
with billboards. He says that if he could recommend anything, it would be to adopt what
OAAA is already doing, which is to adopt the 8 second rule for text change and also the
auto dimming, and to apply same standards to on -premise signs. States that his signs
go off at midnight and back on a 5:00 a.m. 1
Larry Olivet (Eagle Signs, Yakima County business) — Mr. Oliver says that process has
omitted common sense. Says that Eagle also uses WatchFire units — that they're one of
the main industry standards and one of the best out there. Says another one is
Daktronics. Says that dimming with WatchFire is done automatically and that we just
need to get back to customer and say, "tone it down". Says that a lot of it is that there is
no showing even his own customers that it can be done. Says that we don't want to take
away advertising to customers. If they can't make money, they won't be out there. Also
says he's upset when he sees the map staff prepare, saying that you won't see a
billboard at every location — its not common sense. Ben then asks if the auto dimming is
already built into sign. He states that it is. Ben asks if the 8 second rule would be an
issue for his customers, He states that he's not sure, that its up to the customer He
said an add every second is not readable, and references timing in relation to speed
limit. Dave Fonfara asks if he were to make a recommendation, it might be the auto
dimming and the appropriate level of brightness. He confirmed yes, he would have no
problem with that and said he thought the customers would agree to that too.
Jesse Oliver (Eagle Signs, Yakima County business) — Says that restricting business is
not a good idea in his mind —that we shouldn't be taking these rights away from people
trying to create revenue.
Anna Marie DuFault (County resident, Yakima city office) — Part of Coalition, Safe
Yakima Valley with a Drug -Free Community interest. Expressed concerns of advertising
alcohol and addictive products and the fact that we could not regulate text to avoid these
ads. Concerned that the more alcohol ads young people are exposed to, the more likely
2
they are to drink. Says that the very first thing that welcomes you to the City of Yakima
is a hydroponics store that is not even a local business — its in Ellensburg — and it's a
modified pot leaf that is being advertized for that store. Says that what we know about
businesses selling alcohol products is that for every tax dollar they bring in, there are 10
dollars of social costs. She states that we need to be mindful of the implications of
advertising products that are associated with domestic violence and substance abuse
issues. She said that they are trying to discourage underage drinking and that we need
to balance the community perspective for our young people.
Barbara Cline (local City of Yakima architect) — Says that her comments are for both
types of signs, and that her comments will be more subjective than technical because
she's not in the sign industry. States that as a design professional, she's very much
aware of what the appearance of the built environment says about our community. Says
she want to be proud of Yakima, but wants to make comments about how she perceives
the built environment relative to signs and billboards. She states that signage is
marvelous when it comes to wayfinding — that is the basic purpose of signage. Says
signage is great if it's advertising local interests, whether business or activity, so there is
an appropriate use of signage in that regard. She also noted that when signage is being
reviewed, some towns are looking at Dark Sky compliance and suggests that is
important to consider as we discuss signage now. States that she doesn't want Yakima
to be out of date with trends that are occurring in other parts of the country and the state.
So as we try to make ourselves more beautiful, she notices from the provided list that
more and more towns are limiting off -premises signage. Also states that it's interesting
that the media states that 1/3 of signs in Yakima are local interest. Says that when
people come to Yakima, they need to know about Yakima and not everybody else.
States that location, scale and color are extremely important factors relative to
wayfinding. Also states that visual chaos is something she's aware of. She says that
people travel to places they find desirable and the idea of visual chaos comes into play.
She also notes that in some cases neighboring property values are driven down
depending on type of signage occurring around them and that in some cases economic
development is being discouraged because the overall environment has become so
chaotic that it's not pleasant for people to be there. Says she's not necessarily in favor
of more regulation, but that this is an area where more regulation is going to have to be
put into play in order to make the visual environment more beautiful. You take North
First Street and eliminate all that signage — look at the rich ridge behind it. "This is
Yakima, that's what I want to look at"
The following is a summary of written comments submitted to the City on
billboards and digital signs:
James Car ender (International Sign Association and Northwest Sign Council, Mesa,
Arizona) — Letter of December 10, 2013 - Suggests that we adopt a 0.3 footcandle level
and that we adopt automatic dimming capabilities on all permitted EMC's (Electronic
Message Centers). Recommends that we allow 75% or 100% of freestanding signs to
be digital; Recommends that a definition for a digital sign be included in the definition
section of the sign code. His recommended definition is "Digital Sign — A sign that is
capable of displaying words, symbols, figures or images that can be electronically or
mechanically changed by remote or automatic means." Further recommends that we:
not enact any color or text -only restrictions; enact hold times for EMC's in the range of 3
to 4 seconds, with a transition for fade not to exceed 1 second; limit illumination to 5,000
3
nits daytime and 500 nits evening, not enact requirements for dark backgrounds.
Finally, he recommends that we maintain separate and distinct regulations for on -
premise and off -premise signs.
Suzanne Moble (Yakima resident) — e-mail comments dated December 9, 2013 —
Shared idea of imposing a requirement that billboard messages be accompanied by a
sponsored image on a billboard of a beautiful view of Yakima's surrounding landscape.
If that wouldn't work, she suggests a matching billboard for a non-profit group. She
states she is also in favor on not providing any more billboard space. She states that
billboards are a commercialization of the common space, and that they are "annoying,
unpleasant and difficult to avoid. She states that having a giant billboard in one's face is
worse than radio or TV or newspaper ads.
Heather Lowe (Volunteer of Keep Washington Beautiful). She states that the key
question is "what kind of city does Yakima want to be known as; what character, what
experience do you want visitors to savor; and what quality of life do you want for workers
and residents? She states that it takes commitment to high standards to be known as
an outstanding destination. She describes our tourism opportunities (e.g., wineries,
agriculture) She states that digital billboards pose a major visual and environmental
pollution threat to Washington State, and notes that once digital billboards go up, they'll
never come down,. She notes that land values decline, safety hazards become
municipal liabilities, and the threat of lawsuits against the city rise. She emphasizes that
the only benefit of a digital billboard I to the advertising company in increased revenue
and profits. She asks that we enact an ordinance that bans digital billboards, reduces
existing billboards, and affords strict management of on -premise sign.
In a follow-up e-mail copied to the City from Heather Lowe dated December 12, 2013,
she expresses concern that industry representatives were there to speak out because
"they are paid to travel, noting their out-of-state business connections. She also
questioned the Planning Commission Chair's comments to the press regarding hurting
business and limiting property rights, stating that this in not a neutral view.
Barbara Cline (Yakima architectural firm) — Ms. Cline reiterated the comments she gave
at the December 11 workshop stating emphatic support of prohibiting off -premise signs
and also prohibiting new billboards. She stated that Yakima will feel like it continues to
be behind the times if we don't pay more attention to the quality of the appearance of our
built environment. She stated that the chart outlining the regulations from Washington
cities overwhelmingly showed the number of cities that prohibit new billboards and off -
premise signs, noting decreased property values, discouraged economic activity and
visual chaos as good reasons for those bans.
Andrea Prentice (Yakima resident). In reference to Yakima Herald article of December
12, Ms. Prentice states that we should have strict regulation on billboards, and that many
Washington small cities have such regulations, including outright bans. Says she
agrees with Barbara Cline that such advertising detracts from the community and causes
"visual chaos."
December 10, 2013
City of Yakima
Planning Commission
Dear Planning Commission,
INTERNATIONAL SIGN ASSOCIATION
On behalf of the International Sign Association (ISA) and the Northwest Sign Council (NWSC), I would like
to submit our organization's comments with regard to Introductory Discussion of billboards and digital
signs. The International Sign Association (ISA) is a 2000 -member trade association, the members of
which are manufacturers, users and suppliers of on -premise signs and other visual communications
products from the 50 United States and 60 countries around the world. ISA supports, promotes and
improves the visual communications industry, which sustains the nation's retail, distribution, service and
manufacturing industries. ISA and the NWSC work actively with officials and business owners
throughout the northwest to assist jurisdictions with creating reasonable and effective sign regulations.
ISA recommends that staff, City Council, and other involved stakeholders should consider the
following resources as part of their information -gathering and ordinance -writing processes. In
preparation for this meeting we took the liberty to review the sign code for, legal issues and best
practices.
For purposes of organization, I have organized my comments into three categories of feedback. The first
grouping is Recommendations Lor on -premise sign regulations. The next category are Comments on
the Memorandum dated December I1.2013 and the last category is Changes recommended as Best
Practices in grafting a .Sign Ordinance.
� � � M +w ► �r ar r
In 2008, ISA hired a lighting expert (and a former president of the Illuminating Engineering Society of
North America) to develop recommendations for self-regulating industry standards to address concerns
about EMC brightness. These standards are compliant with IES TM -11-00 ("Light Trespass: Research,
Results, and Recommendations"). In summary:
B. EMC Illumination Limits: The difference between the off and solid -message measurements
usin the EMC Measurement Criteria shall not exceed 0.3 footcondles occoLding to ambient Ii ht
conditionsor that can be od"'usted to com l wa"t the 0..3 ootcandle measurements.
WINVr .IP*N 01p, , inPonsign „apg,
INTERNATIONAL SIGN ASSOCIATION
We believe that the 0.3 foot-candles standard (which is typically equivalent to —320 nits or less
of an all -white EMC background at night) is proven to be an appropriate method for regulating
brightness.
• Automatic dimming
C". Dimming,Capabilities: All permitted EMCs shall be eguipped with a sensor or other device that
a tomaticalIV determines the ambient illumination and is ro rammed to automaticallZ diver
We recommend that the City allow 75% or 100% (versus what staff has suggested 30% or 50%)
of the freestanding sign to be digital. This allows for additional design flexibility and is
supportive of Yakima's business and institutions such as churches, convention centers, sports
facilities or entertainment centers that would choose the flexibility of a digital sign as their
primary sign .
We recommend that a definition for an digital sign be include in the definition section of the
code.
[digital Sign —A sign that Is capable of disglat�ing words, sumbols, figures or images that can be
electronically or mechanically changed by remote or automatic means.
Comments on the Memorandum dated December 12,_2013 by, Steve t saythorpe
No mention is made of the economic considerations for digital or electronic message centers. Please see
the attached study by the University of Cincinnati that has information on the economic impacts of
EMCs on a hotel chain, banks and auto dealership. We suggest that the positive economic impacts of
EMCs on the business community be a part of the discussion when regulating EMCs. Note the attached
study "The Economic Value of Signs."
Other Comments on the Bulleted points under Digital Signs page 1, comments by Steve Osguthorpe are
indicated by (SO) NWCS/ISA comments are in bold italics:
a Allow 30% to 50% of freestanding sign to be used for digital signs (SO)
wrwwsigils Di jon+ +ilsigils a
INTERNATIONAL SIGN ASSOCIATION
We recommend that the City consider 75% or 100% as recommended above. Ne believe that to
unreasonably limit the sign area to 30% or 50% would severely limit the amount of information that
can be displayed on a digital sign at one time. The bottom line with the allowable % of digital sign is,
how business friendly (includes other uses institutional or churches) does Yakima want to be?
• Limit digital signs in sensitive areas to monochrome text only with a dark background (SO).
We recommend that the City not enact any color or text only restrictions. This could infringe
on court established free speech requirements. With our recommended brightness restrictions
EMC signs will not exceed the brightness of other sign types.
• Limit text change to 1.5 seconds fade in, and retain image for 8 seconds (OS).
We recommend that if the City is to enact hold times for EMCs that they be in the range of 3 to
4 seconds. The transition time for fade in and out should not exceed 1 second.
• Limit illumination to 5,000 nits daytime and 500 nits evening.
This standard is outdated since it is based upon the maximum LED brightness limitations from
over 10 years ago. The daytime standard is not needed with the automatic dimming
requirement. If digital signs were limited to 5,000 nits they could not be properly viewed in full
sunlight. Our recommended brightness limitations are typically around 300 nits substantially
less than the 500 nits that are suggested.
• Require background to be darker than text (OS).
We recommend that the City not enact any color or text only restrictions. This could infringe
on court established free speech requirements. With our recommended brightness restrictions
EMC signs will not exceed the brightness of other sign types.
Changes Recommended as Best Practices
Maintain se orate and distinct re ulations Lor on - premise and off -premise si ns.
The current sign code for Yakima has distinct and separate regulations for on premise and off premise
signs. We strongly recommend that all of the regulations for on -premise and off -premise signs be
maintained as entirely separate sections of the sign ordinance. This will ensure correct administration of
these sections and minimize any confusion of the regulations for on -premise and off -premise signs.
Again, ISA and the NWSC recommends that the Planning Commission, staff, Council, and other
involved stakeholders should consider these suggestions to the language of the proposed ordinance.
Thank you for your time and consideration to the ISA recommendations to the proposed regulations.
ISA and local sign company representatives would be pleased to offer any additional assistance in
understanding issues involved in the regulation of on -premise digital signs, including a demonstration of
brightness.
Sincerely,
James Carpentier AICP
Manager, State and Local Government Affairs
Ibarra .Rosalinda
-rom: Heather Lowe [heather@heatherlowedesign.com]
Sent: Wednesday, January 08, 2014 3:00 PM
To: Osguthorpe, Steve
Subject: DIGITAL BILLBOARDS - YAKIMA PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 1.8.14
Attach rnents: image003.jpg
Importance: High
ATTENTION: PLANNING COMMISSION
Please enter this email as a public comment for today's workshop meeting
Please make copies of the information on this internet link for distribution to the attendees and for the
permanent file and read it aloud for the recorded session.
h .I/wwwbli htfi hters.org r fere ce/
This page includes links to KEY INFORMATION regarding digital billboards
and announce that a library of information is available at wwwk washn, tonbeautifui.or for the public,
planners and City Council Members
Thank you
Heather Lowe
Volunteer Keep Washington Beautiful
Linkedin Profile
Ph: 206.854.3936
"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success
unexpected in common hours" Henry David Thoreau
http''.,/www.blightfighters.org/reference/
Digital Billboard Information Sources
It can be daunting to quickly find materials specific to the various subtopics within the complex field of digital signage.
Here are some links to resources that various citizens around the country have found to be effective in their battles
against blight.
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
"Illuminating the Issues — Digital Signage and Philadelphia's Green Future" Click here to read this paper (.pdf) that
includes technical details necessary to understanding digital sign industry energy consumption issues.
IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY
"Beyond Aesthetics: How Billboards Affect Economic Prosperity" Click here to read this paper (pdf) about how
property values and other economic variables are impacted by billboards.
Knight Foundation Soul of the Community Project employed a fresh approach to determining the factors that attach
residents to their communities and the role of community attachment in an area's economic growth and well-being.
Click here to visit their website for a comprehensive look at their findings.
LIGHTING TERMS AND TECHNOLOGY
This Illinois Coalition for Responsible Outdoor Lighting article is famously referred to as "Nits to you". The arcitle's
real title is "Digital Billboards: New Regulations for New Technology" and it helps sort out various terms like Nits and
Illumination in the context of what you need to understand in order to regulate sign lighting correctly. Click here to
read a copy of this informative article (.pdf).
You may also visit them at http://www.illinoislighting.org/billboards.
LEGAL
Case Law: Relevant Decisions Regarding Billboards and Other Scenic Issues
This is a good reference page that includes a number of gems that may apply directly to your situation.
Please visit their case law page by clicking here.
Page 1 of 2
. 9 htip.,I/www.blightfighters.org/reference/
SAFETY
"Digital Billboards, Distracted Drivers"
"Remember Burma -Shave? Large electronic signs distract drivers in new ways" by Jerry Wachtel in the March 2011
edition of American Planning Associations PA provides an updated overview of this issue and points to additional
resources on the topic. Click Here for Wachtel's original 2009 Safety Study.
Page 2 of 2